Read: Nehemiah 10:35-39“And we made ordinances to bring the first fruits … to the house of the LORD;”
My girlfriend grew up with her missionary parents in Brazil. She dwelt most of the year safely ensconced in boarding school. But summers brought carefree days in the remote, native village where her parents toiled to share the Gospel of Christ. Supporters often sent them gift boxes from the USA, and the missionary family eagerly anticipated the arrival of these coveted items. Sugar, coffee, American ethnic goodies, candy for the children, popcorn and staples and other treats often peered at them from the brimming gift boxes.
The family always put the unopened box on the coffee table in the center of the room. They made a ceremony out of opening the container, giving thanks to God before they ever removed the tape, which sealed the box. The children knelt around the table, leaning up in order to view the desirable objects at the soonest possible second. Their parents, grown up - but still children within, held the same enthusiastic expectancy. The whole family always smiled with delight as they examined the carefully chosen gifts from their loyal supporters.
One day, however, instead of the fulfillment of their joy, disappointment resulted when they opened the box. Inside was a large, heavy glass jar, full to the brim with USED tea bags. The donors inscribed and enclosed a note, which explained their gift, obviously proud of their sacrifice. “Since several cups of tea come from one bag, we just used these bags once and then dried them out, saving them in this jar until it was full. We impatiently predicted sharing each of these bags with our beloved missionary family. Enjoy the second use from them and pray for us each time you use one.”
Since my missionary friend shared this story, I often wondered about the mentality behind such a crass and selfish gesture. Why didn’t they purchase them a box of new bags instead? The money saved in postage alone could have sent the missionaries a dozen boxes of new tea bags. Then, I realized that Christians all over the world exhibit this same attitude. They take the first fruits of their earnings and the blessings God provides for them, and they consume it upon their own lusts. Then they give God their used leftovers or simply put a tip in the offering basket as it comes by their seat in the pew.
How many of us are also guilty of giving God our used teabags, trying to pass them off as our reasonable service? Do we give Him the leftovers of our time, our talents and our money; using them first for our own benefit and glory, and then giving Him our scraps? God gives us a mandate to give ten percent of our first fruits to Him. The Word of God declares that giving anything less than ten percent is actually robbing from God. Do we really want to steal from the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Ruler of the Universe?
I vowed on that day to give God the first fruits of all of my increase, including my gross salary and also all of the financial gifts that others share with us for birthdays and other celebrations. I also determined to give sacrificially, above and beyond the tithe, when the need arises.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, do not allow me to be satisfied in selfishly giving You my leftovers. Help me to put You first in my life. Multiply to me the fruit of my labors, so that I have even more to give to You and Your Saints. Thought for the Day:
On which would you rather be blessed by God, on your net income or on your gross?
